MDA ministers to contribute to CM’s relief fund to aid flood victims in Garo Hills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 19, 2019

SHILLONG: Cabinet ministers of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA)-led state government have decided to contribute to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in view of the floods which have greatly affected people in the plain belt areas of Garo Hills.   

At the same time, the state government has appealed to all the citizens of the state including the opposition MLAs to also contribute to the CM’s relief fund in aid of the flood victims. 

The flood situation in Garo Hills was also discussed during the cabinet meeting chaired by the chief minister Conrad K Sangma held here on Friday. 

“I am glad to inform you that all my colleagues in the cabinet, they have very happily agreed to contribute to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” Home Minister James K Sangma told reporters after the meeting as he maintained that it is entirely left to the ministers to donate whatever amount. 

Also taking the opportunity to reach out to the people of the state, Sangma said, “We also appeal to the people of Meghalaya to donate generously whatever amount it may be big or small, to the CM’s relief fund.” 

When asked, the home minister said that a separate appeal will also be made to all the MLAs and chairmen of the various boards.

Informing that the state is also seeking financial assistance from the Centre, he said, “The CM had also met the union home minister and we have met and approach other ministers as we have been affected by the worst flood situation ever and we hope that the Centre will extend its support.” 

With regards to the demand to declare the floods in Garo Hills as a national disaster, Sangma said the state government is examining the matter and will take a call if the need is there. 

Admitting that over a lakh of people have been displaced, the home minister, who also recently conducted an inspection to the affected areas, said that the present situation is pretty grim. 

“We expect that the water would recede but it does not seem to be receding at the moment so the situation is quite grim but the district administration is doing its level best to provide relief material to make sure that the relief camps are in place to take care of those who have been displaced by the flood,” he said. 

According to him, the government is also trying to make arrangement for more boats for the smooth conduct of the rescue and relief operations. 

He further said that sanitation is a big issue and the health department is working overtime to ensure that in such a situation diseases are not spread. 

“Many efforts are on the ground and on the way and this is a natural disaster and basically you are fighting against nature but nonetheless the government is seized of the matter and trying our level best to ensure in whatever way extend all possible help to the people affected by the floods,” Sangma said. 

Saying that no details to point out the reasons that led to the floods is available with him at the moment, he however said that there have been heavy showers and rain have been very heavy off late and water of the Brahmaputra is flowing back to the plain areas of Garo Hills. 

He also said that at this point in time, there is no move to rope in other central agencies as the NDRF and SDRF teams are doing a good job adding “It is very unfortunate that some precious lives have been lost during the flood incident.” 

According to the home minister, the entire assessment will be done at a later stage but right now the state government is concentrating on the relief operations.